NEW YORK, NY.- The quality, scope and innovative vision of the late author Michael Crichtons collection of contemporary art compelled buyers at Christies on May 11. The focal point of the sale was Jasper Johns Flag, 1960-1966, selling for $28,642,500 million (£19,476,900/ 22,627,575) (estimate: $10 million-$15 million), the highest price ever achieved for a work by Johns at auction. The collection realized $93,323,500 (£63,459,980/ 73,725,565) and sold 100% by lot and by value, becoming one of the most significant.

Four bidders vied for the flag which took two minutes to sell ending at 6:55 pm. The winning bidder was a member of the U.S. art trade. Completed by Johns in 1966, the work, executed in encaustic, was purchased by Crichton over thirty years ago from the artists own collection. It was last seen in public in 1992 and was a key piece in the comprehensive and prized collection cultivated by the best-selling author of Jurassic Park. Johns iconic American flag are credited with jumpstarting the Pop art movement; paving the way for the avant garde works of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein in the mid 1960s. The previous record was for Johns Figure 4, 1959, encaustic and printed paper collage on canvas, sold at Christies in May 2005 for $17.4.

Another record was set for Mark Tanseys Push/Pull, 2003, sold for $3, 28300 (₤2,188,580/  2,542,615) (estimate $800,000 to $1.2 million). The previous record for a Tansey was $3,040,000.

Further highlights included Ed Ruschas Voltage, 1964 that sold for $1,650,500 (₤776,900/  902,575) (estimate $700,000 to $1 million), Robert Rauschenbergs Trapeze, 1964 which went for $6,354,500 (₤ 4,321,060/ 5,020,055) (estimate $5 million to $7 million) and Andy Warhols Mao, 1973 that sold for $2,378,500 (₤ 1,617,380/  1,879,015).